Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is a multi-period historic site in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, with convict-era, industrial and shipbuilding remains that are part of Australia’s cultural heritage. It is listed within the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage grouping.

On the island visitors can explore convict-era sandstone buildings, large dry docks and extensive shipyard workshops that span 19th and 20th century maritime history. The site also hosts exhibitions, cultural events and overnight camping that allow people to experience the industrial structures up close.

The island was used as a convict penal establishment in the 19th century and later developed into a major government shipyard through the 19th and 20th centuries. Shipbuilding and dockyard operations declined in the late 20th century and the island was converted to a heritage and public-use precinct.

Cockatoo Island sits in the middle of Sydney Harbour at the junction of the Parramatta River and the main harbour, between the Balmain and Woolwich peninsulas. It is accessed by public ferry services from central Sydney and other harbour wharves.

• World Heritage: Part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage listing and maintained as a national historic site with scheduled tours and events.

What to See #

• Convict precinct: A former convict precinct with sandstone buildings and yards dating to the 19th century, preserved as part of the island's penal history and open for guided interpretation.
• Fitzroy Dock: Fitzroy Dock, one of Australia's early dry docks completed in the mid 19th century, used for ship repairs and now a visible industrial heritage feature.
• Sutherland Dock: Sutherland Dock, a larger late 19th century dry dock built to handle bigger vessels during the island's shipbuilding period in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Shipyard and workshops: Industrial workshops and shipyard structures representing 19th and 20th century naval engineering, many repurposed for exhibitions and events.